The Incredibly Touching Story of How a Shelter Dog Saved the Life of the Human Who Adopted Him

In their wonderful awareness campaign “Mutual Rescue”, the Humane Society of Silicon Valley (HSSV) tells the touching story of a man named Eric who was morbidly obese and needed to lose weight. Following his doctor’s advice that a dog would get him moving, Eric went to HSSV and found his canine soulmate Peety. Together the man and dog would walk for miles. Eric’s weight came off while the two grew closer together

Six years ago, Eric weighed 340 pounds and was diagnosed with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and Type II Diabetes. His doctor told him he had 5 years to live. Then he met Peety—and everything changed. … Mutual Rescue™ is an initiative that aims to change the way people see animal welfare. By sharing stories about connecting a person with an animal, Mutual Rescue™ hopes to demonstrate that when you support your local animal shelter, you’re not just enhancing an animal’s life—you’re also transforming a person’s life as well. The stories shared by everyday people through Mutual Rescue™ are testaments to the incredible impact that an animal and a person have on each other, and that “rescuing” isn’t in just one direction

HSSV is currently seeking other Mutual Rescue story submissions through April 30, 2016, the four best submissions will win the grand prize of being featured in a short film.

A true account of how you rescued an animal and, of special interest for this initiative, how that animal rescued you. …Stories will potentially be used in several forms. The selected stories will have a 5-minute video created and be part of a composite video used by to promote activities around “Changing the conversation from people OR animals to people AND animals” and to inspire people to support local animal shelters and rescue groups in their area. Stories not selected for filming may potentially be used in books, television, and social media channels to continue to spread the Mutual Rescue™ message.

via SF Gate